Jayson Tatum’s Achilles Recovery “Way Ahead” of Schedule, Possible Return This Season
Jayson Tatum is defying expectations in his recovery from what should have been a season-ending Achilles tear.
The Boston Celtics star, who suffered the devastating injury back in May, has been spotted moving surprisingly well at Chris Paul’s summer basketball camp. Scouts at the event were shocked by his progress.
“I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles’ tears, and he looked way ahead,” one scout told Steve Bulpett. “I was surprised.”
What’s even more remarkable? Tatum isn’t using a walking boot – something that’s practically unheard of less than three months after an Achilles rupture.
The Indiana Pacers‘ Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a similar injury during the NBA Finals, is still wearing one.
This unexpected progress has sparked optimism that Tatum might actually return late in the 2025-26 regular season, a scenario that seemed impossible when the injury first happened.
Achilles tears typically sideline players for 9-12 months. For Tatum to potentially beat that timeline would be nothing short of miraculous.
The injury initially forced Boston’s front office to make some tough decisions. Facing steep luxury tax penalties under the CBA’s second apron, and without their superstar for what they assumed would be the entire season, the Celtics broke up their championship roster.
They traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Luke Kornet also departed, signing with the San Antonio Spurs in free agency.
Without Tatum, the Celtics will lean heavily on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to carry the scoring load.
The six-time All-Star has never missed significant time before in his career. At just 27 years old, Tatum has already been named to the All-NBA First Team four years running.
While scouts did notice a slight limp in Tatum’s gait at CP3’s camp, the fact that he’s moving this well so soon after surgery has everyone talking.
It’s still early August, and a lot can happen between now and the regular season. But for Celtics fans desperately missing their superstar, these early signs offer a glimmer of hope that seemed impossible just weeks ago.
